THE NETWORKER a publication of Matrix Parent Network & Resource Center • Spring 2019 SOME MUSINGS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR... Matrix Parent Network is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1983 to serve families of Transitions for Everyone! children with special needs. We serve Marin, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma counties. his issue of the Networker focuses To our dedicated and on the “T” word – transition. We “wonderful Matrix family, have had several resources, BOARD OF DIRECTORS I continue to learn from Ttrainings, and articles in the past about Alexis Lynch you. You will live in my President the transitions our children make. These transitions include Early Intervention heart forever. Colleen Arnold ” Vice President to Preschool, Primary to Middle School, bit of what I have learned from all of you and Special Education to Adulthood. over the past many years. Sarah Ponsford Treasurer Hopefully you have found effective Transition means change. It means strategies and tools to help your chil- getting from here to there (wherever Gina Flores dren overcome challenges as they grow Eli Gelardin there might be). It means stepping into and learn. This time I want to address the unknown while trying to prepare, as Heather Johnson the transitions that we, as parents, have Shawn Murphy much as possible, for a smooth landing. experienced and will experience as we For me this transition means leaving a Nicole Wehr travel through this confusing, crazy, familiar, comfortable place full of people joyous maze of raising a child with who have been so important in my life. It MATRIX STAFF unique needs. means learning new ways and finding new Nora Thompson people to take on significant roles. Executive Director This issue is an enormous transition for me. It is the last time I will write the The hardest part of my retirement is Ana Acosta opening for the Networker. After almost saying goodbye and thank you to all of Kristie Anderson 30 years with Matrix, I am retiring. Our the wonderful people who have shared Lee Cox dedicated board of directors is working wisdom, tears, and lots of laughter with Tony Darren hard to find the next Executive Director me. To the folks who mentored me, you Alyssa DiFilippo who will lead Matrix into the future will never know how grateful I am that you Angela Dowd while keeping our mission, vision, and were there. To the many families I have met Margaret Johnston values alive. and spoken with, thank you for allowing Juana Madriz me to be a small part of your journey. It Jennifer Mates After almost 30 years with Matrix, means so much. To our dedicated and Coleman McDonough I am retiring. wonderful Matrix family, I continue to Gloria Ochoa As you read through the following learn from you. You will live in my heart Stephanie Ryan articles in this issue, it may strike you forever. I am who I am today because of Erika Sanders that they are written from a similar all of you. I approach the next part of my Sandi Strang perspective. That’s because instead of journey knowing that I have been so very Birgit Switenki my talented staff writing them, as they blessed to have you all in my life. Virginia Thibeaux usually do, I have taken on that task. Mike Toby I view it as a way to be slightly self- indulgent and leave some last words to all of you. It’s my way of sharing a teeny Nora Thompson, Executive Director Transitioning1. What’s the for idea Everyone of IDEA? Parent Services Middle School and High School Blues – What Does This Mean for You? BY NORA THOMPSON our child is growing up and getting ready to make Puberty, in all of its glory, is coming to a child the big transition to a different school setting. near you! There will be many new faces. Classrooms change This will be a time when your child may start to talk back or Yand there are more teachers who need to get to know your act out more. You will wonder what happened to your sweet student. All of this preparation takes place as your child child. Doors will be slammed, voices will be raised, and transitions towards more independence. chaos will ensue. It maybe a bumpy ride for a while. Making a difference… Is an obnoxious behavior related to New activities require a lot of planning, coordination, and adolescence or a child’s disability? research to smooth the path for your child. As the parent, you have probably been scurrying around, gathering Often parents find themselves trying to figure out if an information, making connections, and doing all you can to obnoxious behavior is related to adolescence or a child’s disability. This can be puzzling for families. Sometimes it is assure that the necessary pieces are in place for your son or clearly related to the age and stage of the child and some- daughter. Although it’s been one more exhausting round as times it is not so clear. Regardless, all of this drama certainly a parent of a child with unique needs, your preparations will makes for interesting times. make a big difference. Your hard work will help to ensure that your student benefits from this new educational setting. This is as much your transition as your child’s. But what about you? How is your child’s It’s about preparing for change in your family. As your child propels towards adulthood, you are also transitioning. You will transition impacting you? learn new skills and behaviors to cope with these monumental Although the work and preparation needed for school is changes in your child. And remember, you are not alone. challenging in itself, you are also becoming the parent of a The wisdom and experience of other parents who have gone teenager. After you take away all of the organizing and advo- before you is available. Reach out and connect with others. cacy that goes with being the parent of a child with special If you are having a hard time, give Matrix a call and we will needs, you are still the parent of an imminent teenager and help connect you. Remember, this bumpy ride will pass everything that entails. This is a transition time that will make eventually, and you will survive. I promise. some of those other transitions look like a walk in the park! ALGUNAS REFLECCIONES DE LA DIRECTORA EJECUTIVA: ¡Transiciones Para Todos! Este número de Networker se centra en la Esta vez quiero abordar las transiciones trabajando arduamente para encontrar palabra “T” , transición. Hemos tenido vari- que nosotros, como padres, hemos experi- al próximo Director Ejecutivo que guiará os recursos, capacitaciones y artículos en mentado y experimentaremos mientras a Matrix hacia el futuro, manteniendo el pasado sobre las transiciones que hacen viajamos a través de este confuso, loco nuestra misión, valores una viva visión. nuestros hijos. Estas transiciones incluy- y alegre laberinto de criar a un niño con A medida que lea los siguientes artículos en Intervención Temprana a Preescolar, necesidades únicas. de este número, le puede sorprender Primaria a Secundaria, Transición de “Después de casi 30 años con Matrix, que estén escritos desde una perspectiva Educación Especial a la Adultez. me retiro”. Este tema es una transición similar. Eso es porque en lugar de que Esperamos que haya encontrado estrate- enorme para mí. Es la última vez que mi talentoso personal los escriba, como gias y herramientas efectivas para ayudar escribiré la apertura para el Networker. solemos hacerlo, he asumido esa tarea. a sus hijos a superar los desafíos que Después de casi 30 años con Matrix, me re- Lo veo como una manera de ser un poco surgen a medida que crecen y aprenden. tiro. Nuestra junta directiva está dedicada autoindulgente y dejo algunas últimas 2 Networker • Spring 2019 Servicios de Padres Blues de Secundaria y Preparatoria ¿Qué Significa Esto Para Ti? BY NORA THOMPSON u hijo está creciendo y preparándose para hacer la gran transición a un entorno escolar diferente. Habrá muchas caras nuevas. Los salones cambian y hay más Este será un momento en el que su hijo puede comenzar Smaestros que necesitan conocer a su estudiante. Toda esta a responder o actuar más. Te preguntarás qué le pasó a tu preparación se lleva a cabo a medida que su hijo pasa a una dulce hijo. Las puertas se cerrarán de golpe, las voces se mayor independencia. alzarán y se producirá el caos. Tal vez sea un viaje lleno de Hacer una diferencia… baches por un tiempo. Las nuevas actividades requieren mucha planificación, coor- ¿Un comportamiento odioso está relacionado dinación e investigación para allanar el camino para su hijo. con la adolescencia o la discapacidad de un Como padre, es probable que haya estado corriendo, reuni- niño? endo información, haciendo conexiones y haciendo todo A menudo, los padres se encuentran tratando de averiguar lo posible para asegurar que las piezas necesarias estén en si un comportamiento odioso está relacionado con la su lugar para su hijo o hija. Aunque ha sido una ronda más adolescencia o la discapacidad de un niño. Esto puede ser agotadora como padre de un niño con necesidades únicas, desconcertante para las familias. Algunas veces está clara- sus preparativos harán una gran diferencia. Su arduo trabajo mente relacionado con la edad y la etapa del niño y otras ayudará a asegurar que su estudiante se beneficie de este veces no es tan claro. En cualquier caso, todo este drama nuevo entorno educativo. sin duda es un momento interesante. ¿Pero qué hay de usted? ¿Cómo le está Esto es tanto su transición como la de su hijo.